EAST LANSING -Johnny Adams didn't return for his senior season to repeat what's already been done, he came back for something that's never been won.

Since its inception in 1986, the Jim Thorpe award has been given to the top defensive back in college football. No Spartan has ever won the award. In fact, only one Big Ten player has taken home the Thorpe in the past decade.

Adams is coming off an All-Big Ten junior season. At boundary corner in 2011, Adams had 51 tackles, 4 tackles for loss and team-high three interceptions. His 141 interception return yards were third most in an MSU season and ranked seventh in the FBS. Adams currently sits at fourth all-time in Michigan State history with 219 career interception return yards.

After considering entering the 2012 NFL Draft, Adams decided in early January to return to East Lansing. With the graduation of captain, and three-year starting safety Trenton Robinson, Adams is back to do more than corner blitz, he's back to lead.